Plant Biosensor and Method

ABSTRACT

A system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises at least two electrodes coupled to an electromagnetically sensitive bio-organism and control logic configured to predict an earthquake based upon signals produced by the electrodes in response to an electromagnetic signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/362,065, entitled “Plant Biosensor and Method,” filed on Jan. 29,2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/025,180, entitled “Plant Biosensor,” filed on Jan. 31, 2008, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An earthquake is the sudden movement of the earth's surface. The goal ofthe earthquake prediction is to give warning of potentially damagingearthquakes early enough to allow appropriate response to the disaster,enabling people to minimize loss of life and property.

Seismic activity below the earth's surface is difficult to detect butcan be critical in predicting earthquakes. When rocks shift below theearth's surface, low-level electromagnetic waves are produced which,when detected, are useful in predicting the time, place, and magnitudeof earthquakes. However, scientists have difficulty accurately detectingand analyzing such low-level electromagnetic waves. Electric andmagnetic signals have been observed before many geological time events,e.g., volcanic eruptions, in unstable flanks of active volcanoes,landslides, and earthquakes. Here, we focus on the so-called seismicelectric signals activities, which consist of hundreds of pulses and aredetected several days before major earthquakes in many countries.

Certain green plants, such as Aloe Vera, Mimosa pudica, potato plants,tomato plants, and Venus flytraps, are sensitive to electrostatic,magnetic and electromagnetic stimulation due to effects of plantelectrotropism and magnetotropism. Thus, there are electrochemicalresponses by these bio-organisms when a low-level electromagnetic waveis detected. Therefore, there is a need for a system which uses anelectromagnetically sensitive bio-organism in conjunction with acomputing device for accurately predicting earthquakes by detecting andanalyzing electromagnetic waves produced by seismic activity.

SUMMARY

A system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurecomprises a plurality of electrodes communicatively coupled to anelectromagnetically sensitive bio-organism isolated from electrostaticenergy and control logic configured to detect at least one signal fromthe electrodes and determine, based upon the at least one signal,whether seismic activity is present, the at least one signal indicativeof an action potential in the bio-organism.

A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurecomprises detecting at least one signal from a plurality of electrodescommunicatively coupled to an electromagnetically-sensitive bio-organismisolated from electrostatic energy, the signals indicative of actionpotentials in the bio-organism, and determining, based upon the signals,whether seismic activity is present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scalerelative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts an electromagnetically sensitive bio-organism.

FIG. 2 is the electromagnetically sensitive bio-organism of FIG. 1encapsulated in a Faraday cage when electromagnetic waves are present.

FIG. 3 depicts the bio-organism encapsulated in the Faraday as depictedin FIG. 2 communicatively coupled via three electrodes to a detectionsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts three graphs illustrating an electrical response of thebio-organism depicted in FIG. 3 to the electromagnetic waves, thebio-organism's response to which the electrodes detect and the detectionsystem record.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary detection system asdepicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary computing device of thedetection system depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts the bio-organism encapsulated in a Faraday cagecommunicatively coupled via four electrodes to a detection system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting exemplary architecture and functionalityof the detection system depicted in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an electromagnetically sensitive bio-organism 100, forexample a Venus flytrap. The bio-organism 100 comprises two lobes 101,102, which are hingedly coupled via a midrib 103. The center of eachlobe 101, 102 comprise three sensitive trigger hairs 104. Further, theedges of each lobe 101, 102 comprise cilia 105.

When an insect (not shown) is attracted to the bio-organism 100, itlands on one of the lobes 101, 102. When the trigger hairs 104 aretouched by the insect, the lobes 101, 102 are mechanically stimulated,and the lobes 101, 102 close on the insect. The cilia 105 form aninterlocking wall that keeps the insect captured.

Note that when the trigger hairs 104 are touched, the trigger hairs 104activate mechanosensitive ion channels (not shown), thereby generatingreceptor potentials. The receptor potentials produce an action potentialin the bio-organism, which causes the lobes 101, 102 to close on theinsect.

The action potentials generated in the bio-organism 100 may also beinduced by electromagnetic energy, which is described further withreference to FIG. 2. Note that the term “action potential” refers towaves of voltage generated in the cell membrane of the plant when theplant is stimulated.

FIG. 2 depicts a representation of the ground 200 and theelectromagnetically sensitive bio-organism 100. The ground 200 isexperiencing fracturing and slipping, which oftentimes occurs during anearthquake. As an example, part of the ground may shift in a directionindicated by a reference arrow 202 and another part of the ground mayshift in a direction indicated by a reference arrow 203. When such ashift occurs, seismic waves 204 are produced. Seismic waves 204 areessentially mechanical waves.

Note that there are a variety of ways in which the ground can shift, andthat the shift shown in FIG. 2 occurs along what is sometimes referredto as a “strike-slip fault,” In a strike-slip fault the rocks within theground 200 move in horizontal directions indicated by arrows 202, 203.There are other types of faults including “normal faults” and “reversefaults,” which are contemplated by the present disclosure. Thestrike-skip fault is shown and described for exemplary purposes only.

Seismic activity below the surface of the earth, such as the shearing ofpiezoelectric rocks, e.g., crystal, also produce low-levelelectromagnetic waves 205 prior to an actual shift in the ground 200that produces the seismic waves 204. These low-level electromagneticwaves 205 are often a precursor to earthquakes. Thus, detection of theelectromagnetic waves 205 may be used to predict earthquakes.

The bio-organism 100 is placed in a Faraday cage 206 so thatelectrostatic energy does not affect the bio-organism 100. Note that a“Faraday cage” refers to an enclosure that is made of a conductive metaland that is grounded. The Faraday cage blocks electric energy fromentering the enclosure. However, magnetic energy can still penetrate theenclosure. Thus, the electromagnetic waves 205 generated from seismicactivity penetrate the Faraday cage 206. However, electrical energy, forexample electrical energy produced by a lightning strike, does not.

As described hereinabove, the bio-organism 100 is sensitive toelectromagnetic waves 205. As the electromagnetic waves 205 encounterthe bio-organism 100 through the Faraday cage 206, the electromagneticwaves 205 produce action potentials that travel through the lobe 101 tothe midrib 103.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting an exemplary detection system 200 fordetecting seismic activity with an electromagnetically sensitivebio-organism 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The bio-organism 100 is enclosed in the Faraday cage 206 inorder to isolate the bio-organism 100 from electrostatic energy (notshown).

Electrodes 210, 211, and 212 are placed on the bio-organism 100. In oneembodiment, the electrodes 210, 211, and 212 are placed consecutively ina line represented by reference arrow 220 running over the lobe 101 fromthe midrib 103. The first electrode 210 is placed on the midrib 103 andis the common connection to the bio-organism 100. In addition,electrodes 211 and 212 are placed consecutively along the linerepresented by reference arrow 220.

Note that three electrodes 210-212 are shown on the bio-organism 100.Three electrodes 210-212 are shorn for exemplary purposes only.Additional electrodes may be used in other embodiments. For example, 4,6, and/or 8 electrodes may be placed on the bio-organism 100, and actionpotentials of the bio-organism 100 may be measured at each locationwhere an electrode is placed.

Further note that action potentials induced in the lobe 101 travel fromelectrode 212 to electrode 211, from electrode 211 to electrode 210, andfrom electrode 212 to electrode 210, from the lobe 101 to the midrib103. Further note that electrode 210 is a distance d₂ from electrode 211and a distance d₃ from electrode 212. Further, electrode 211 is adistance d1 from electrode 212. The relevance of the distances d₁, d₂,and d₃ are described further herein.

Each electrode 210-212 is electrically connected to the detection system200 via one or more wires 213-215, respectively. Thus, action potentialsinduced in the lobe 101 between electrode 212 and 210 produce anElectrical Signal₁ across wires 213 and 215. In addition, actionpotentials induced in the lobe 101 between electrode 211 and 210 producean Electrical Signal₂ across wires 214 and 213 and produce ElectricalSignal₃ across wires 214 and 215.

Note that in one embodiment of the present disclosure the electrodes210-212 are Silver/Silver Chloride (Ag/AgCl). Furthermore, the wires213-215 may be silver wires.

The detection system 200 samples each of the Electrical Signals. In oneembodiment, the detection system 200 samples the electrical signals overthe wires 213-215 at 10 kilohertz (kHz), i.e., 10,000 samples persecond. The detection system 200 determines, based upon the dataobtained from sampling the electrical signals whether there ispre-earthquake seismic activity.

Note that the action potential measured by the electrodes 210-212 mayvary depending upon the type of bio-organism 100 in which theelectromagnetic waves 205 induce the action potential. In the exampleprovided, a Venus flytrap is shown as an exemplary bio-organism 100.Through experimentation, a Venus flytrap has an action potential ofapproximately 0.1 Volts and a duration time of 1.0×10⁻³−1.4×10⁻³seconds. However, other bio-organisms, for example soybean plants ormimosas, may have different action potentials and durations, but mayalso be used to detect earthquakes in accordance with other embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts three graphs 400-402 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The graphs 400-402 each represent one electricalsignal 403-405 that may be obtained from the wires 213-215 when anelectromagnetic wave 205 (FIG. 2) produced from seismic activity inducesa signal in the bio-organism 100 (FIG. 2).

In this regard, signal 403 represents voltage sampling over time betweenelectrodes 212 and 211 when an electromagnetic wave 205 induces anaction potential in the bio-organism 100. Note that the peak voltageread at t=t₁ is 0.1 Volts, which is the action potential of the Venusflytrap. As noted herein, this action potential may vary depending uponthe type of bio-organism interfaced with the detection system 200. Thisaction potential of 0.1 Volts translates to a peak amplitude in thesignal traveling over the lobe 101 of 0.1 Volts, as illustrated.

Further, signal 404 represents voltage sampling over time betweenelectrodes 211 and 210. Note that the peak voltage read at time t=t₂ is0.1 Volts. In addition, signal 405 represents voltage sampling over timebetween electrodes 212 and 210. Again, the peak voltage read at timet=t₃ is 0.1 Volts.

As illustrated, the signals 403-405 occur at different times t₁-t₃,respectively. This difference in peak voltage times is because theaction potential in the lobe 101 travels from electrode 212 to electrode210 along line 220 toward the midrib 103 (FIG. 3). However, regardlessof when the peak voltage occurs, an electromagnetic wave 205 fromseismic activity induced in the bio-organism 100 generates at eachelectrode 210-212 substantially the same peak voltage value, which inthe case of a Venus flytrap is 0.1 Volts.

Furthermore, an action potential induced in the bio-organism 100 by theelectromagnetic wave 205 from seismic activity creates a constant speedof the action potential from electrode 212 to electrode 210. Whether theaction potential is at a constant speed can be determined by calculatingthe speed of the action potential between electrodes 212 and 211,electrodes 211 and 210 and electrodes 212 and 210 to ensure that thespeed is constant. If you do not have a constant speed between theelectrodes 210-212, this is a false signal and no seismic activity ispresent. As an example, one or more electrodes may be faulty or theelectromagnetic wave may be coming from another source other thanseismic activity.

In order to calculate the speed between the electrodes, the electrodes210-212 are placed on the bio-organism at known distances. As anexample, the distance d₃ between electrode 210 and electrode 212 may be2 centimeters (cm). Further, the distance d₂ between electrode 211 andelectrode 210 may be 1 cm, and the distance d₁ between electrode 211 andelectrode 212 may be 1 cm.

Speed of the action potential across the lobe 101 may be determined foreach signal 403-405 based upon the sampled signals 403-405 and thedistance placement of the electrodes 210-212, Note that the peak valueof 0.1 Volts of signal 403 is detected at time t. The peak value of 0.1Volts of signal 404 is detected at time t₂, and the peak value of 0.1Volts of signal 405 is detected at time t₃.

Assume for exemplary purposes that the measured duration of the actionpotential across the lobe 101 is 1.0×10⁻³ seconds. Further, forexemplary purposes assume that the measured durations of t₂-t₁ and t₃-t₂are 5.0×10⁻⁴. The speed between electrode 212 and 211 can be calculatewith the following formula:

Speed_(212 to 211)=distance(d ₁)/duration(t ₂ −t ₁) sec

Speed_(212 to 211)=1 cm/5.0×10⁻⁴ sec

Speed_(212 to 211)=2000 cm/sec

The speed between electrode 211 and 210 can be calculated with thefollowing formula:

Speed_(211 to 210)=distance(d ₂)/duration(t ₃ −t ₂) sec

Speed_(211 to 210)=1 cm/5.0×10⁻⁴ sec

Speed_(211 to 210)=2000 cm/sec

The speed between electrode 212 and 210 can be calculated with thefollowing formula:

Speed_(212 to 210)=distance(d ₃)/duration(t ₃ −t ₂) sec

Speed_(212 to 210)=2 cm/1.0×10⁻³ sec

Speed_(212 to 210)=2000 cm/sec.

In such an example,Speed_(212 to 211)=Speed_(211 to 210)=Speed_(212 to 210)=2000 cm/sec.Therefore, the action potential across the lobe 101 travels at aconstant speed. When an electromagnetic wave 205 from seismic activityinduces an action potential in the lobe 101, the action potentialtravels at a constant speed across the lobe 101.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary detection system 200. The exemplarydetection system 200 comprises a data acquisition device 501 and acomputing device 502. In one embodiment, the data acquisition device 501comprises an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 503 and a multiplexer504.

The A/D converter 503 receives analog signals (not shown) via the wires213-215 connected to the bio-organism 100 (FIG. 3). Note that the A/Dconverter 503 receives three wires 213-215 for receiving three signals.However, additional or fewer wires may be connected to the A/D converter503 for receiving additional or fewer signals from additional or fewerelectrodes, as described with reference to FIG. 7

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, only two electrodes 710,711 are connected to the bio-organism 100 and via the wires 713, 714 tothe detection system 200. Only Electrical Signal₂ would be generated. Insuch an embodiment, the detection system 200 is unable to determine aconstant speed across the lobe 101. However, the detection system 200can determine that the peak values contained in the Electrical Signal₂remain at a constant value. The constant peak value in the ElectricalSignal₂ may indicate seismic activity.

The A/D converter 503 converts the received analog signals to digitalsignals (not shown) indicative of the analog signals received andpropagates the digital signals to the multiplexer 504. The multiplexer504 combines the digital signals received into a single digital signalthat contains data indicative of the three digital signals received fromthe A/D converter 503.

Note that the multiplexer 504 is shown diagrammatically as a componentof the data acquisition device 501. However, the computing device 502may comprise an electronic card (not shown) that receives multiplesignals. Thus, the multiplexer could alternatively be shown as acomponent of the computing device 502.

The computing device 502 receives digital data (not shown) indicative ofthe analog signals received over the wires 213-215. Upon receipt, thecomputing device 502 determines, based upon analysis of the digitaldata, whether there is seismic activity.

In this regard, the computing device 502 determines if the actionpotential in the bio-organism 100 exhibits equal peak values, forexample 0.1 Volts for a Venus flytrap, at each electrode 210-212 (FIG.3). In addition, the computing device 502 determines if the actionpotential in the bio-organism 100 travels at a constant rate of speedacross the lobe 101.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of thecomputing device 502 used to store and analyze data detected by theelectromagnetically sensitive bio-organism 100 (FIG. 3). The computingdevice 502 generally comprises a processing unit 600, memory 601, aninput device 602, and an output device 603.

The computing device 502 further comprises control logic 604 and digitalsignal data 605. The control logic 604 can be software, hardware, or acombination thereof. The exemplary computing device 502 shows thecontrol logic 604 and the digital signal data 605 as stored in memory601.

The processing unit 600 may be a digital processor or other type ofcircuitry configured to run the control logic 604 by processing andexecuting the instructions of the control logic 604. The processing unit600 communicates with and drives the other elements within the computingdevice 502 via a local interface 606, which can include one or morebuses. Furthermore, an input device 602, for example, a keyboard, aswitch, a mouse, and/or other type of interface, can be used to inputdata from a user of the computing device 602, and an output device 603,for example a display device, can be used to output data to a user (notshown).

As described hereinabove, the computing device 502 receives data fromthe data acquisition device 501, which includes the A/D converter 503and the multiplexer 504. In this regard, the A/D converter 503 convertsthe analog signals indicative of the response of the bio-organism 100 toelectromagnetic waves 205 produced by seismic activity into digitalsignals. The multiplexer 504 combines the digital signals into a singlesignal for storage and analysis by the control logic 604.

An exemplary input device 602 may include, but is not limited to, akeyboard device, serial port, scanner, camera, microphone, or localaccess network connection. An exemplary output device 603 may include,but is not limited to, a monitor or video display.

As noted herein, control logic 604 and the digital signal data 605 areshown in FIG. 6 as software stored in memory 601. When stored in memory601, the control logic 604 and the digital signal data 605 can be storedand transported on any computer-readable medium for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or othersystem that can fetch the instructions from the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In thecontext of this document, a “computer readable medium” can be any meansthat can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport theprogram for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium can be, forexample but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device orpropagation medium. Note that the computer-readable medium could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, asthe program can be electronically captured, via for instance opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory.

Upon receipt of digital data indicative of the analog signals receivedvia the wires 213-215 (FIG. 3), the control logic 604 stores digitalsignal data 605 in memory 601 indicative of the analog signals receivedfrom the bio-organism. The control logic 604 then performs operations onthe digital signal data 605 to determine whether seismic activityoccurring indicates pre-earthquake conditions.

In this regard, the control logic 604 determines a peak value for eachsignal 403-405 received over the wires 213-215. The control logic 604then determines if the peak values of the signals 403-405 aresubstantially equal. As described herein, if the peak values aresubstantially equal, this indicates pre-earthquake seismic activity.

Further, the control logic 604 determines the time at which the peakvalues were reached in each signal 403-405. The control logic 604 thendetermines, based upon the distance of the electrodes 210-212 one fromthe other and the time at which the peak values were reached, whetherthe action potential across the lobe 101 traveled at a constant speed.As described herein, if the speed of the action potential across thelobe 101 traveled at a constant speed, this also indicatespre-earthquake activity.

In one embodiment, the control logic 604 may generate a graphical userinterface

(GUI) (not shown). The GUI may display to the output device 603 a dataand/or a graphical notification that the detection system 200 (FIGS. 3 &5) has detected pre-earthquake activity. In addition, the GUI maydisplay to the output device 603 graphs similar to those depicted inFIG. 4 so that a user (not shown) of the detection system 200 candiscern visually whether pre-earthquake activity is occurring.

FIG. 7 depicts a detection system 700 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

In such an embodiment, detection system 700 is substantially similar tothe detection system 200. However, an additional electrode 717 iscoupled to the bio-organism 100 on lobe 102. The additional electrode717 is communicatively coupled to the detection system 700 via a wire716. When an action potential is present in lobe 102 due to anelectromagnetic wave 205 (FIG. 2), Electrical Signal₄ is transmitted tothe detection system 700, in addition to Electrical Signals 1-3.

With the addition of the electrode 717, the detection system 700 may usethe information contained in the Electrical Signal₁₋₄ to ensurereliability and integrity of the information contained in the ElectricalSignal₁₋₄. In this regard, one of the electrodes 710-712, 716 may begenerating a false signal (not shown), i.e., a signal that is notindicative of an electromagnetic wave 205 produced from seismicactivity.

As an example, one of the electrodes 716 may be faulty or connectedimproperly to the bio-organism 100 and may be producing noise. In suchan example, the detection system 700 can compare each of the generatedElectrical Signals 13 with the Electrical Signal4 generated by thefaulty electrode. If the comparison indicates that the ElectricalSignals₁₋₃ are substantially similar to the graphs 400-402 (FIG. 4), butthe Electrical Signal₄ is not, this indicates that there exists seismicactivity and that there is incorrect information contained in ElectricalSignal₄.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting exemplary architecture and functionalityof the detection system 200 (FIGS. 3 & 5).

In step 800, the detection system 200 receives data indicative ofmeasured action potentials on a bio-organism 100 (FIGS. 1-3). In oneembodiment, a plurality of electrodes 210-212 (FIG. 3) is placed on thebio-organism 100. As indicated herein, only three electrodes 210-212 areshown in FIG. 3. However, additional electrodes may be used in otherembodiment of the present disclosure. The detection system 200 maycomprise an A/D converter 503 (FIG. 5) that receives analog signals fromwires 213-2 (FIG. 3) and converts the analog signals to digital dataindicative of the action potentials measured by the electrodes 210-212.

In step 801, the detection system 200 determines whether the datareceived in step 700 indicates pre-earthquake seismic activity. In oneembodiment of the present disclosure, the detection system 200 comprisesa multiplexer 504 (FIG. 5). The multiplexer 504 converts the digitaldata indicative of the analog signals received via the wires 213-215into a single signal (not shown). The control logic 604 (FIG. 6)receives the multiplexed signal and stores digital data indicative ofeach of the analog signals received as digital signal data 605 (FIG. 6)in memory 601. The control logic 604 then analyzes the stored digitalsignal data 604 to determine peak values in each of the analog signalsreceived via the wires 213-215 and the speed at which the actionpotential detected by the electrodes 210-212 traveled across the lobe101 of the bio-organism 100.

1. A system comprising: at least two electrodes coupled to anelectromagnetically sensitive bio-organism; and control logic configuredto detect an action potential between the two electrodes, the actionpotential produced by an electromagnetic wave, the control logic furtherconfigured to predict an earthquake based upon the action potentialdetected.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising ananalog-to-digital (A/D) converter electrically coupled to an output ofeach of the at least two electrodes.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinthe control logic is further configured to analyze one or more peakvalues contained in a signal received from at least one of theelectrodes and predict an earthquake, based upon the analysis.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the control logic is further configured topredict the earthquake if the peak values are substantially equivalent.5. The system of claim 1, wherein a first, second, and third electrodeare coupled to the bio-organism.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein thecontrol logic compares a signal produced by the first electrode tosignals produced by the second and third electrodes.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the control logic is further configured to determine,based upon the signals received, whether the first, second, or thirdelectrode is working improperly.
 8. A method, comprising: detecting afirst and second signal from a first and second electrodecommunicatively coupled to an electromagnetically-sensitivebio-organism; calculating an action potential in the bio-organism basedupon the signals; and predicting an earthquake based upon the calculatedaction potential.
 9. The system of method 8, further comprisingconverting the first and second signal into digital data.
 10. The methodof claim 1, further comprising analyzing one or more peak valuescontained in the received signals.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising predicting the based upon the analysis.
 12. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising receiving a first, second, and third signalfrom at least three electrodes coupled to the bio-organism.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, comparing the first signal to the second and thirdsignals.
 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising determining,based upon the signals, whether the first, second, or third electrode isworking improperly.
 15. A system, comprising: at least two electrodescoupled to an electromagnetically sensitive bio-organism and controllogic configured to predict an earthquake based upon signals produced bythe electrodes in response to an electromagnetic signal.